CHADRON, Neb. — Chadron State College is turning to a Kearney native to lead its athletic department.

CSC president Ron Patterson announced Monday that Mannie Reinsch is the Eagles’ new athletic director. He will start on July 29.

"Mannie has a wealth of experience, a passion for athletics, and is deeply committed to ensuring student-athletes succeed in and out of the classroom at Chadron State College,” Patterson said in a statement. “His knowledge of NCAA and Division II best practices, as well as a proven ability as a fundraiser, will position our athletic department and college well.”

Reinsch is from Kearney and graduated from UNK. Most recently, he was Senior Associate Director of Athletics Championships Resources at Austin Peay State University, a Division I school in Tennessee.

"My wife and I are excited to be back in Nebraska and join Chadron State College," Reinsch said. "What initially drew me to CSC was President Patterson's leadership and vision, but I have known about CSC my entire life and I knew of the athletic department's success as a student-athlete and competitor at UNK. It's an exciting opportunity to lead a department that has a lot of potential and infrastructure to take it to the next level."

A news release says Reinsch and his staff at Austin Peay hosted championship events and he assisted with multiple facility renovations.

Previously, Reinsch spent three years as the Associate Athletic Director for External Relations and Development at Colorado State University-Pueblo, one of Chadron St.’s conference rivals. Reinsch also worked in administration at UNK. He started as a graduate assistant and worked up to Assistant Athletic Director for Facilities and Events.